Striping mechanism for knitting machines



Feb. lo. 1925` 1,525,607 K. HOWIE ET AL Y `STRIPING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES' original Filedasept. 9; 1920 sweets-sheet s Pawnee Feb. 10,1925.

UNITED STATES a PATENT OFFICE.. f'

KENNETH IHOWIE, OF NORRISTOWN, .AND WILLITVI 0. TAYLOR, OF LIMERICK, PENN- SYLVANIA, .ASSXGNORS T0 WILDMAN MFG. COI., 0F NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA,

A ooRoRaTIoN or inunsimviiuni.l

semaine Meenemen Fon KniTTiNeMAcHINEs. i`

r'.Lpplicaton filed September 9, 1920, Serialv To all whom t may concern: Be vit known that AKENNETH Howin and WILLIAM O. TAYLOR, citizens of the United States, and residents of Norristown, Penn- Sylvania, and Limerick,` Pennsylvania, re-

spectivel have invented certain new and usefull ymprovements in Striping VMechanismfr Knitting Machines, of which the" following is a specification.

The invention concerns striping mecha` nism for knitting machines, and it consists in thefeatures `and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described` and particularly pointed out in the ap- `1li pended claims.4

In the accompanying drawingsi ...Figa l is a plan view of a por-tion of the head of a circular knitting machine, embodying the invention. A Fig; l shows cam parts.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a head .of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view through head-substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1- but with some ofthe parts inside elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional View along the micrometerA screw adjusting means for the presser cam, and showing the slide for retracting this cam. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional View on the line portion of the 444. of Fig. i.

' Fig. 5 is a view of a detail;

" v IFigs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a cam.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic plan view of means for controlling rtle yarn' feed finger and the presser cam.

In these dr'awings, 1 indicates the needleV carrier or cylinder, 2 the needles, 3 sinkers, 4 pressers for the spring beard needles, 4

the cam for operating the pressers and '5, 5*

the yarn guide fingers. We have shown two yarn guide fingers but the machine may be .equipped with any? desired `disposition and colors'of yarn t omake the striped pattern.

l We have shown one of the yarn fingers at 5 in position tolfeed the yarn to the needles,

and lthe other yarn -finger 5*L in elevated position to lift the yarn out of ,work nd if 5 9 we are feeding white yarnat say the nger 5 and blue yarn at the finger 5a the striped effect in'the circular 'fabric will `be obtained being understood No. 403,265. Renewed November 2e, 1924.

by allowing the finger 5 to vfeed its white yarn for a certain number of courses and then introduce the blue yarn by lowering.

the finger 5a and withdraw the .white-yarn by elevating its feed finger 5. .v

Each feed nger is carried by a shaft 6 journaled in a standard or post -7 attached to the cap, or cam ring section 8 of thefliead. The shat has a collar 9 secured' thereto provided with a by a slide' bar 10 ex'tendinglaterally in respect to the post and guided .in a groove or slot 11 formed in the base of the bracket or standard 7. This slide bar is operated by a cam 12 forming the upper part of a rotary member which is connected to the ver-V tical shaft 14' which has fixed thereto at its lower end 'a star wheel 15 arranged to be struck and operated step by step rotatively by projections 16 16 "of a -member 16 carried 'by the rotary part of the machine, it

l that the needle cylinder and. sinker ring rotate and the cam rings are stationary.

This member 16 is secured to the under side of the rotating sinker ring or bed 17.

of the cam 12 `When the high part 12 acts upon theA slide bar 10 i and 'pushes it towards? the left in Figs.

1 and 2 the shaft projection 1() borne upon' 6 will be turned and the yarn feed linger will be lifted out of work, -(see thelinger 5a). to withdraw the yarn from the needles so that knitting will v cease at this feed and conversely when the lowpart 12 of the cam is opposite .the end of the slide the feed finger will beforced down into work to feed yarn to the needles, this action being due to a spring 184 in a boss 19 of the bracket or post 7 which spring acts upon a pin 20 bearing up feed finger.

The yarn finger having been 'lowered 'will continue feeding its yarn until the star wheel is set by the lpattern mechanism into position to be again operated by the projecunder the end 21 of .the Iyarn *I tions 16 and 16" travellingwith the rotary member of the machine.

The star wheel khas four arms, two of which 15'v lie in `a. higher plane ,than the other pair of arms 15". The pai-r of'high arms 15 lie on one side of the star wheel adjoiningeach other, and the other pair, i.- e.`

the low arms^"15,lie on the opposite sideof the star wheel, adjoining each other.

\` The starl wheel ,is mov-able vertically to,V

different levels to bring either pair of its arms or 15 into the horizontal path of movement `of the travelling projections 16 16". lVhen the star Wheel is inA its low position the higher pair of arms 15 are in the plane of movement of the rojections 16 16v and therefore these projections in travelling past the star wheel will give itv two step movements forward which it has l done in Fig. 1 in the arrow direction, lat

the -feed A in Fig. 1 each step being oneI quarter of a revolution so that the star wheel will advances one half of a revolution for each4 action of thev actuator 16 thereon. This actuator has its two projections, one immediately behind the other and in the 4same horizontal plane, so

' that inpassing the star wheels the first projection 16 will operate the star wheel Fig. 1 the above actions are supposed to have taken place in respect to the star wheel at zontal thefeed A. When, however, the star wheel is adjusted, by suitable pattern mechanism not shown, to its other level this will bring the other pair of arms thereof into vthe horiplane of movement of the actuator so that the two respectively on e arms lof this other pair and the star wheel will be turned step by step to perform another` half revolution,

thus turning the cam 12 to cause the shifting of the yarn feed finger from one position to the other.

In the or anization illustrated .the two high arms o the star wheel rwhen operated cause the lowering ofthe yarn feed finger into operation as shown at feed A. and the i operation of the two low arms 15 15 of the star wheel when operated cause the lifting of the yarn feed finger to its inoperative position as shown at feed B.

' words when the star wheel is in its lowermost position its high arms are in the-path of movement of the projections 16 16 and when these projections operate upon the two high arms the feed finger is thrown down into, feeding position. In this action the first projection 16, or. mother words the one leading in the direction of movement of the rotary member of the machine, see arrow m, operates upon one of the high arms and moves the-star wheel one quarter turn andimmediately thereafter the second pro-- j'ojections 16 16 will Oact t In other jection operates upon the second high arm 15 of the star vwheel and completes the half revolution of the cam 12 necessary to lower the yarn feed finger to its feeding position through the connections described. Having 'erformed this shifting of the yarn feed ger any predetermined number of courses can be knit with the yarn fed through this finger, the other finger or fingers remaining out as long as the pattern mechanism. calls for. This is dueto the fact lthathaving operated the two high arms of the star wheel in s'uccessionthere is no other arm at the star wheel now in the plane of movement of the actuating projections 16 16" and it requires the shiftmg (elevation in this case) of the star wheel vertically to its other positiontobring the first oneof the lower arms 1'5 into the path of movement of the actu-- ating projections before 4the star wheel will be. given its next step movement, and when this-occursit willA be given immediately a p second step rotary movement to complete the throwingv out of the yarn feed finger because the second low arm will then. be acted on by the second projection 16".

For shifting the star wheel verticallyv to its different. levelsa depressor member 23 is employed to force the stai wheel downwardly and a spring 22 is employed to force the star wheel to its upper level when permitted to do so by the withdrawal ofthe depressor from over the shaft of vthe star wheel.

This depressor consists of an arm 23 hav-l ing an inclined orcam-like blade orv broadened outer end 23 said arm being mountl ed 4to turn about the axis 24 and having la second arm 25 formed therewith or .attached thereto and connectedby arod 26 vwith pattern mechanism (not shown) of any suitable kind.

In the osition of the parts shown at the left of F1g. 1, i. e. at the feed A at which the yarn feed finger is down in feeding position, the inclined depressor member has been moved to a position over the upper end of the star wheel shaft so that the shaftand star wheel have been depressed by the inoline working thereon and the high arms of the star Wheel have been operated by the projections 16 16 which have acted thereon and turned the cam 12 to permit the spring 18 to throw the yarn finger down.

When the depressormember is operated by the pattern mechanism in the opposite direction its' inclined under sidemoving outwardly over the upper end of the star wheel shaft, as at the yarn feed B, will so locate its lower inclined surface in respect to the shaft that the shaft may rise under the action of the spring 22y and thus the star wheel will be raised axially and its lowermost arms will be raised into the plane of movement of the projections 16 16 to be operated thereby,4 with the result -that the cam 12 will be turned to lift theyarn feed l finger out of work.

fiVhen this happens -the yarn end will be f '5 caught under a yarn end retaining finger 25 Fig. 5 pivotally mounted at 26 to a bracket 27 fixed to the lcap member of the -linitting head or ring, it being understood that any suitable form of cutter may 'be employed at the center of the ring or head to sever the yarn which 'is lifted out of -wor-k. This yarn end retainer has la shoulder 28 against which the vyarn end lodgesI so that it will be retained in a position ready l5 to be introduced into thefabric again at a definite point when the yarn nge'r lowers. This retainer finger works between the arms of the support 29 upon which the yarn rests, while borne upon lightly by the retainer finger. l

Reverting to the mounting of the star wheel and-its shaft, it will be seen from Fig. 4 that-the said shaft `at its upper en d has a collar() surrounding :it whichwls- .25 slotted at'31 andreceives pins v30 or a su1t-' able projection on the star wheel shaft by which the shaft is permitted to move vertl- 4cally but in both its high'and low positions it will rotate the colla-r. This collar 30 is attached to the cam 12 `by a pin 32 and.

a screw 33 arranged at `diametrically opposite points, the collar having a flange 34 receiving the pin and' screw. This connec tween them i. e. the'pin and slot. In as# sembling these parts therefore the proper .45 timing of the action of the cam to ythat of 1 the 4star wheel will be insured. Where, as in the present' description and drawino', whichwe have chosen as an example il# lustrativeof our inventionLspring beard needles are employed, means are provided to revent the needlesr from being pressed an' casting ofi their old loops when the yarn is lifted therefrom and is out of work,

J- as such action if not prevented would leave the needles bare.

For this purpose the 4 presser cam 4a which causes the pressing of the vneedle beards (for casting' ofi` the loops) through individually pivoted pressers .4 'is' retracted out of 'work when the yarn 4 80 feed finger corresponding to the said presser f cam is'llfted to stop'feeding its yarn to the needles. For this purpose the pressercam -has its shank 37 provided with a boss or stud BSengaging a plate'39 slidably mount- 'ed on top of the sectional cap ring and guided in a recess in the base ofthe post or standard 7. This plate has a cam formation provided"L by notching its edge at 3 9 of V shape and the inclined side of this notch is engaged by a bar or pusher 40 arranged below the slide bar 10 and acted on by the lower cam section of the cam disc 12. This cam section has ahigh part 12" and a low part l2C andthese are-s0 djs posed that just before the yarnwzfi lifted out of ivo-degl? the lcam the high part 12H0A tl 1e cam wi o) the notched slide S13/td retract the resser cam aga-inst the/tension of its spring 41 so, that the beardsof the needles will not be pressed and the old loops will not be cast ofi' but will be held on the needles until'` such time that thevfeeding of new yarn thereto is resumed at the next active yarn feed.

When the inoperative yarn feed finger is again lowered, by reason of the star wheel being shifted by the pattern mechanism and connections described, with its high arms 15 into the path of travel of thestuds 16 16 the low parts '12 of the 'cam will come opposite the pusher bar 40 and the spring 4]. will then move the presser cam 'to its operaf tive position for pressing the needletheards. The yarn guide finger is thrown into feeding position before the presser cam is restored to normal position, the interval :between these actions -being sufficient to allow the yarn where it is introduced to theneedle row again to pass the pressing point so that all of the needles opposite the presser will have b een supplied with new yarn before the pressing takes place. This interval of time Iis due to the distance 'between the flow points 12 and 12c measured counter clockwise in Fig. l, 12" being the point on the cam where the yarn finger is thrown in and 12c being the point where the presser cam isthrown 1n. y. f

In throwing the yarn finger out ofoperzr yarn finger is lifted out of-operation. For this purpose the point 12b is spaced ahead of the high part 12', the' former 12v acting in connection with the lower slide 40 toretract the presser cam and the latter acting on the upper slide 10 to turnshaft 6 to elevate ythe yarn feed finger.

The presser cam 4a may be adjusted as shown in Figs. 3 andl 3', wherein isshown a rod 42' having its end screnfhreaded into the block 38 connected with the shank 3T of the presser cam. This rod 42 extends with a sliding fit through the screw threaded shank 42a of a micrometer adjusting device, the 'finger wheel of which is indicated at 44.

The rod 42 has a head 43 bifaring against the outer face of the finger wheel. screw threaded shank 42a screws into a seat 'i110 tion the presser cam is first retracted, see the cams high part at 12? and thereafter th(l The i `-in the cam ring. spring 41.bearing against the end of this shank 42n and against the shank 37 and stud 38 forces the presser cam 4 inwardly towards the needles, the inward position ofthe said cambeing determinedby the head 43 bearing on the finger wheel 44. By turning thelmicrometer device 44, 42*1 the presser cam can be set inwardly or outwardly in relation to the pressers 4, and the needle beards.

For convenience of manufacture the cam 12 is made in two parts pinnedtogether. The upper part has'the formation 12 12 and the lower part the formation 12", 12. The post of the star wheel is much smaller in diameterl than the opening through the cam I andthe openingthrough thcap section or cam ring 8 of the dialso that 1n replacing ne dial cap it can beworkedinto place bycatching up the butts of the .sinkers which may have been misplaced and :after it has beenl placed in position the* collar 30 is introduced so that it will afford a bearing for the u per end of the sta'r wheel shaft.

As be orestated this collar enables the star wheel to be placed back in exactly the same 4position from which it wasremoved.

There is a guard 36 for the pressers. These pressers are liable to move out at their lower ends when they are acted on by" the cam, so that the'presser or pressers next toV the one being pressed will not be subjected toy the influence of 'its spring and hence will be liable to jump out or get misplaced. The

pivotally mounted on the ring, a star wheel turnable about a vertical axis, a. vertical rotatable shaft therefor extending up through the ring, a cam on the upper end of said shaft above the ring, a connection operated by said cam for operating the yarn finger, and means travelling with the needle cylin-l der foroperatingthe star wheel, substan' tially as described.

2. In a circular knitting machine, the combination of a head'member, a needle carrier, a,A yarn finger'shiftable to and from position Vfor feedin'g yarn to the needles, a star Wheel turnable about a vertical axis, a vertical rotatable shaft therefor supported in the head of the` machine, a 'cam on the said shaft above the star wheel, a connection for operating the yarn feed finger from the cam,l 'means for shifting the' vertical shaft with thestar Wheel to different levels, said star wheel having arms at di'erent levels `and means connected with the needle carrier for operating thestar wheel as the ing position, a cam with connections be'- tween the same and the yarn finger for operating the latter, a vertical shaft carrying said cam, saidcam rotating in a horizontal plane above the cam support and means for giving said vertical shaft a step by step rotary movement to control the position of the yarn feed nger, substantially as described.

4. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a knitting head, comprising la support or carrier for knitting instruments, and a cam ring having cams forl operating said knitting instruments, a yarn feed linger shiftable into and'out of'yarn feeding position, a cam with connections between the same and the yarn finger for operating the latter, .a vertical shaftcarrying said cam, said cam 'rotating in a horizontal plane above the cam ring and means for giving said vertical shaft astep by step rotary movement to control the position of the yarn feed finger, said connections from the cam including a push rod operated thereby, a rock shaft operated by the push rodfor moving the yarn feed finger out-of feedingposition and a spring for operatingthe said finger into feeding position substantially as described.

5. In combination in a circular knitting "machine, a bed or carrier for knitting instruments, a cam ring having cams for. operating said knitting instruments, a yarn feed finger shiftable into and out of feeding position, 'a cam rotating in -a horizontal plane and above the cam ring for operating theyarn feed finger, a vertical shaft carrying said cam and extending through and below the cam ring, a star wheel on the lower j end of said shaft having apair of high arms and a pairof low arms, and a pair of projections connected with the knitting instrument carrier and means for shifting the star wheel vertically .to bring either its high arms or its low arms into the path of travel 4of the said projections, substantially as described.

6. ln combination in ,a circular knitting machine, spring beard needles, a bed or carrier therefor, a cam ring and striping means comprising a plurality of yarnfeed fingers disposed at separated points about the needle circle, a presser cam at each tionsfor throwing a yarn linger int/o and out of operative position, means cooperating with said connections for automatically throwing 'the corresponding presser `cano into orout of operative position, substantially simultaneously with the automatic throwing in or out of the yarn feed-finger and lWhile the machine continues in opera- Ntion, substantially as described.

In combination in acircular knitting machine, spring beard needles,a bed or carrier therefor, a cam ring, presser means for C the needle beards, a, yarn feed finger, automatic means for throwing the `same. into and out of operation and means for automatically throwing the presser means of lf'iperation whenthe 'yarn feed finger is `moved to its inoperative position, said automatic means for operating the yarn feed finger and the presser means consisting of i-rotary cam with connections. to the yarn feed finger andpresser means respectively,

means for givingsaid Vcam a step by step movement, and pattern connections lfor controlling the operation of said means, sub7 stantially as described.

8; I n-cdmbination in a circular knitting machine, spring beard needles, a bed or carrier therefor, a cam ring, presser means for the needle beards, aV yarn feed finger,

\ automatic means for throwing the same into and out ofcperation and means for automatically throwing' the presser means out of operation'vvlien the yarn feed linger is moved to its inoperative` position, said automaticmeans-for operating the yarn feed finger and the presser means consisting of a rotary cam with connections to the arn feed finger land presser means respective y, means for giving said cam a step by'step-movement, and pattern connections for controlling the operation of said means, said step by step moving means consistingof 4a 'ing said star wheel.

st-arwheel on the shaftfof the rotary .cam and means on the needle carrier for operatspring` beard needles, a

9. ln combination,

a presser, a ,cam for effecting yarn finger,

pressing of the needle beards, a cam mem-` ber having a portion to operate yarn Enger connections and 'another portion to operate connections leading to the presser cam and means controlled by pattern connections for operating the said cam member,I substatitially as described.

l0. in combination, sprin beard needles, a bed therefor, a yarn fee finger, a cam for effecting pressing of the needle beards, a rock shaft carrying the yarn finge-na member arranged to retract the presser cam, a rbtary cam, a pair of push rods operated thereby, one. acting on the rock shaft of the yarn feed finger and the other operating upon the said member to retract the presser `for effecting pressing 'a star wheel and its sha .a higher plane than the other,

iri- V mounted on the upper side of said supporting ring, a radially slidabl'e. plate connected 75 with the presser4 cam, said plate having an. inclined cam edge, a push 'bar operated by the rotary cam for operating the said-plate and means for operating the rotary cam comprisinga star wheel on the shaft thereof and means on the needle carrier for operating the star wheel, substantially as described. 12. -In combi-nation, spring beard needles, a presser cam, al' rod Vconnected with the presser cam, a sprmo' forforcin cam radially inward towards't e center of the machineJ `and a micrometer adjusting collar through which the rod isslidable, said rod having ahead acting as a stop by restlngupon the face of the micrometer adjusting device, and means for automatically retracting the presser cam comprising an upwardly projecting stud, a. plate slidably mounted and engaging said stud, and means for operating the plate, substantially as de ili` scribed. v 13. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a bed for knitting instruments a; yarn finger, means for shifting said yarn fin- 'ger comprising a rotary step by step cam, a. 190` shaft carrying Said Cam, a star Wheel onthe' i shaft, means lfor, operating the star wheel and aconnecti'on between the rotary cam and the shaft'consisting 'of a 'collar having a splined joint with the shaftand having a connection V.with thecam which insures a certain relation between the said star Wheel and the cam, substantially as describe 1li. In combination in a 'knitting machine,

a yarn feednger, means ttor throwing the V11o,`

Same into and out'of `o ration including the latter being vertically movable-to shift thestar wheel from one level to the other, said star wheel' having twopairs of arms, `one pai-r being in ,115

contact means onl a rotary part of the machine into` line with which the' pairs otarms are located by shifting thestar wheel first to one level Vand then the other, a member adapted to operate upon the upper end of the shaft for depress- .ing the same and connections leading to pattern means for operating -said member substantially as described.

.15. ln combination in a'knitting machine, 125 a yarn feed finger, means for throwin the same into and out of operation includln a star wheel and its shaft, the latter being vertically movable to shift the star wheel from one level to the other, said star wheel the presserl S51" having two pairs of arms, one pair being in a higher plane than the other, contact means on a rotary part of the machine into llne with which the pairs of arms are located by shifting the star wheel first to one level and then the other, a member adapted to move Y over the upper end of the shaft for depressing the same andconnections leading to `pattern means for operating said member,

said depressor being pivotally mounted to.

swing in a horizontal plane, substantially as described.

16. ln combination in a knittlng machine,

' a yarn feed finger, a rockshaft carrying the same, a post in which said roclrshaftis journaled, a sta-r wheel having arms at different levels, means for operating the star wheel, connections between the star wheel and the yarn vfeed finger for operating the latter and means for setting the star at dif-` ferent elevations including 'an arm pivoted to the post and swinging in a horizontal plane .and a cam member on the arm, substantially as described.

17. 'In comb1nat1on in a knitting machine, a` plurality of feeds, a yarn feed finger at each feed, a cam at each feed turning on Aa vertical axis, a star wheel turnable about a. vertical axis, a vertical rotatable shaft connecting each cam with its star wheel, means for operating the star Wheels .and a connection between each cam and the yarn feed finger corresponding thereto.

i8. In combination with the rotary sinker ring, a cam ring therefor, a yarn feedfinger,

a cam with connections therefrom to the' yarn feed finger for operating the same, a shaft extending vertically through the cam ring and carrying said cam, a star wheel on v the lower end of the shaft', means for operating the star wheel, said cam ring having an opening of larger diameter than the Asaid shaft whereby said cam ring can be manipulated to engagey the butts of the sinkers and a removable bearing forl the said .shaft which will hold the shaft centrally in said large'opening of the cam ring, substantially as described.

19. ln combination with the rotary sinker ring, a cam ring therefor, a yarn feed finger, a cam with connections therefrom to the yarn feed finger for operating the same, a

to the cam in a.. certain position, whereby manso? said cam is fixed in a certain relation to the star wheel substantially asdescribed.

2G. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a yarn feed finger, means for placing it in or lifting it out of yarn feedingI position and a retainer for the end of the yarncomprising a loop shaped support and a member pivotally mounted and working between the sides of the 'said support, saidA removable sections of the cam cap larger than the diameter of the shafts, means operated by the shafts for throwing the yarn feed ngers into and out of work, and means for operating the star wheels, substantially as described.

22. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a needle bed, needles, radially movable elements cooperating with the needles,

a supporting ring and a cam ring therefor,

, a plurality of yarn feed lingers disposed at different points about the machine, a shaft' at each` feed slidable vertically in relation to and rotatably supported by the'cam ring, means on the upper end of veach shaft for throwing the yarn feed fingers into andl out of operative, osition, means on the lower end of the s aft by which it is rotated, means on the needle bed cooperating with the means on the lower end of the shaft for rotating it and means for moving the shaft vertically, substantially as described.

23. lin combination in a circular knitting machine, a vneedle bed, needles, radially movable elements cooperating with the needles, a supporting 'f'ng and a cam ring therefor, a plurality arn feed fingers ts about the madispostay ar different chine, a shaft at eachf'lfeed'slidable verti-` v cally in relation to and rOtatablyfsuppOrted by the cam ring, meansA onthefupper end of each. shaft1 for throwing the yarn feed fingers into and out of operative position, means' on the lower end of the shaft by lli() iis lin

which it is rotated, means on the needle bed cooperating with the means on the lower end of the shaft for rotating it and means for moving the shaft vertically, themeans at the upper end of the shaft being splined thereto to. be turned thereby but not to partake ofthe vertical movement of the shaft, substantially as described.

24. ln combination in a circulary knitting machine, a plurality of `feeds W'ith a single needles, a bed therefor, a cam ring, a series of pressers, `One for each needle, a cam at each feed for operating the pressers, automatic means for rendering the yarn feed fingers operative or inoperative in a prescribed order, and means for automatically retracting each presser cam so as not to operate the needle pressei's, when the yarn feeding device correspondin rendered inoperative land W ile another feed finger continues to supply the needles and its corresponding cam-continues to-opcrate Vthe pressers, substantially as de scribed. y

25. `In combination in a multiple feed circular knitting machine, spring needles,

a rdtary needle carrier),A radially movable instruments cooperating .with the needles,

.a carrier therefor, a cam ring for said' in-V struments, yarn guides' mounted on -said cam ring one at each feed Vand disposed atgdiff'erent points about the same, individual beard pressers, a presser cam at each feed for operating the ,pressers, and means at each 'feed inountedon the cam ring of said l cooperatinginstruments lfor rendering lthe yarn feed ngers and .the presser cam operative or inoperative automatically in a prescribed order While the machine con tinues` in operation.

26. In a circular knitting' machine having rotary ino-vement always inV one direction, the vcombination of spring beard needles, a plurality of 'yarn feed fingers disposed at separated points about the needle circle, a plurality of camsl for effecting the pressing of the needle beards, one of said cams being disposed at each feed, means for throwing the yarn feed lingers severally into and out of o-peration in a prescribed order to form stripes andv 'for substantially simultancdnsly and severally throwing the presser frame into and out of operation, While the iii-schine continu-es its rotation in the one direction, and

a device traveling with the rotary part of the machine for contacting with and operating said means,

substantially `as described.

27. In va circular knitting machine, the combination of needles, rotary needle carricr means, a plurality of feeds disposed at separated fixed points about the knitting head'.y with yarn guide means at each feed together with cams for making the needles knit, a star Wheel at each feed rotatable about a vertical axis, at a point fixed in .relation to the revolving needle carrier, a

cam for each star wheel, means operated by the cams for renderimg the feedsv effective orineffective in a prescribed order,

said star Wheels being shiftable tddiiferent levels and having arms at' different levels,

thereto is l .'1n eans for shifting the stai' vvheels, and yarn lfeed finger at each feed, spring beardmeans moving in unison with the revolving needle carrier for rotating the star Wheels by striking the arms thereof, substantially as described.

. `28. In a circular knitting machine, a' fixed ring shaped head, a needle cylinder rotating uWithin the ring,a plurality of feeds disposed at separated fiXedpoints aboutl the knitting head, with yarn guide means, a presser cam andknitting devices at each feed, a star Wheel at each feed rotatable about a vertical axis, at a point fixedin relation to the revolving, needle cylinder., a cam for each star wheel,\means and out of working position, said star :Wheels being shiftable to different levels and having arms at different levels, means for shifting the star Wheels, and means moving in unison with the revolving needle` cylinders for rotating the star Wheels by described.

1- operated .by the cams for rendering thev .striking the arms thereof, substantially as 29. In combination, spring beard needles,

a carrier therefor, a yarn feed finger,- a cam for effecting pressing ofthe /needle beards, a ring shaped support, a cam rotatively mounted, a radially slidable plate connected With the presser cam, said plate having an inclined cam edUe, a push bar operated by the rotary caniD for operating vthe said plate and means for operating the Wheel on --the U rotary cam comprisinga star shaft thereof and means on theneedle carrier for operating the star Wheel, substantially as described.

-30. In a circular knitting machine, a fixed ring shaped head, a needle cylinder rotating Within the ring, a-plurality of feeds disposed. at separated fixed points about the knitting head, with yarn guide means and knitting devices at each feed, a star Wheel at each feed rotatable about a vertical axis, at a point fixed in relation to the revolving needle cylinder, a cam for. each star Wheel, means operated by the cams for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective iii' a prescribed order, said star Wheels being shiftable to different levels and having arms at different levels, means for shifting the star Wheels, and means moving in unison With the revolving needle cylinders' for rotating the star Wheels by striking the arms thereof, said star Wheel shifting means comprising levers mounted above the knitting head and connections leading thereto, substantially as described.

3l. In combination, a multiple feed'fknit/ ting machine, a plurality of yarn feed iingers, one for each feed, an inclined rock shaft for each yarn finger on Which it is from the feeding point' when the rock shaft is turned, means for turning the rock shafts, 1n a prescribed order, and means for preventing the work from running off from the needles when the yarn fingers are raised, substantially as described. 1

l 5 32. In combination in a circular knitting machine for striping, needles, a plurality machine for striping, needles, a plurality of feeds distributed at separated points about the machine, each including a yarn 'guide movably mounted to present the yarn` to or remove it from the needles, each feed including also a cam for manipulating the needles to knit, said cam being adjustable to render the needles non-operative for- `knitting, rotary cam means at each feed `with connections therefrom to the yarn guideV andto 'the needle manipulating cam of saidfeed, said rotary cam means and said connections being timed to move the yarn guide andneedlemanipulating cam in 'prescribedorden to prevent dropping the work in rendering thefeed active or inac tive, means rotating with the machine about the vertical .axis thereof for causing opera-f tion 'of the rotary cam means, and means for determining the timesthat thel rotary cam means will be operated.

33. In combinatlonm a circular. knitting of feeds, distributed at separated points about the machine, each including a yarn lguide together with means adjustable to make the needles perform or not perform their knitting actions, and pattern controlled connections for adjusting said means at the various feeds in a prescribed order, the needles inpassing the adjusted means, simply holding their old loop without knitting, said pattern controlled' connections comprising a cam` for each, feed, a star Ussel, a. vertical shaft carrying the same and splined tothe cam, said pattern connection pushing the shaft with the star wheel downwardly, means for lifting the shaft with 'the star wheel attached thereto and means travelling with the needle carrier for turning the star wheel.

34.' In combination in a circular knitting 'machina needles, a rotary needle carrier, a -camring supportmg needle operating cams,

a yarn fee-d linge-r pivotally mounted at a A fixed point, a star wheel turnable about a vertical airis, a vertical rotatable shaft car= ryiig the star wheel mounted at. a fixed pointl in the came ring, la cam on 'the shaft, a connection operated by the cam for setting the yarn feed linger in or. out of feeding position, means'for adjusting the star'wheelvertically to different levels,.and means travellingvwith the needle carrier for operating the lstar wheel.

35. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, a carrier therefor, means cooperating with the needles to perform knitting, a plurality of feeds with a yarn feed finger at each feed, a cam at each feed, a vertically shiftable shaft at each feed connected with' the cam, pattern controlled means for shifting the said shafts vertically in prescribed order, means moving with the needle carrier for giving a rotary movement to the shafts when the latter areshifted vertically to a certain position, and means o`p erated by the cams for changing'the po' sition of. the yarn feed fingers in or out of feeding position, substantially as-.described.

36. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, a carrier therefor, means cooperating with the needles to perform knitting, a plurality of feeds with a yarn feed linger at each feed, a cam at each feed, a vertically shiftable shaft at each feed connected with the cam, pattern controlled means for shifting the said shafts vertically in prescribed order, means moving with the needle carrier for giving a rotary movement to the shafts when'the latter are shifted vertically to a certain position, and means 'operated bythe cams for changing the p'osition ofthe yarn feed fingers in or out` of feeding position, said pattern controlled means working upon the upper ends of the shafts, substantially as described. Y

37. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, a rotary needle carrier, a

- plurality of feeds disposed at various points a cam splined to each shaft with connections...

'leading therefrom to the feeds, for controlling the same, pattern means for pushing the shafts, .downwardly and means for moving the shafts upwardly, said star wheels having high and` low arms and contact means travelling with the rotary needle carrier for operating the star wheels, substantially as described.

38. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, a rotary carrier therefor, cams for operating the needles, supporting means for the cams, a` yarn feed finger shiftable into and out of feeding position, a cam .rotating in a horizontal plane, above the cam support, for operating the yarn'ngers, a vertical shaft carrying the'cam and 'extending through-and below the ncedle cam support, a'star wheel on the ylower end of said shaft having high land low arms, contact-means travelling with the needlecarrier for operating the star wheel and means 'for shifting the star wheel vertically to different levels in respect to said travelling contact means..

ias

39. In combination in a circularI knitting 4' machine, needles, a rotary carrier therefor, a' plurality of feeds disposed about the machine at separated points, a star wheel at Leanser each feed, said vstar Wheels having high and low arms, means travelling with the rotary needle carrier for contacting with said arms, a vertically movable shaft carrying the star y wheel, and means bearing on the up er'end ofthe shaft for movingit dovvnvva l ly, and means operated by the shafts for controlling the feeds, substantially as described.

40. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, rotary carrier means therefor, a plurality of feeds spaced apart at `iarious points about the machine, and

mea-ns for. rendering said feeds active or inactive 1n a prescribed order, lncluding a star Wheel and cam for each feed, rotating n, ab iut a 'vertical axis, contact means moving vvith the needle carrier for operating the star wheels, said star Wheels havin up and down to different leve s in respectv to the path of travelvof said contact means and having high and low -arms to be hit thereby, and pattern controlled mechanism with connections extending over the knit` ting head and having up and do'wn movement at their ends for shifting the star wheels vertically, substantially as described.

41. In combination in a knitting machine,

a plurality of yarn feed fingers disposed at movement unison with a needle carrier to turn the star Wheel step by step by acting upon the radial arms, and means for'shifting the star wheel 40 with its shaft verticallywto make the contact means act upon the jaiins`,iV saidfrshifting means including means engaging the uppery end of the star Wheel shaft for de ressing\ it, and pattern controlled connections for 45 operating said depressing means, substanl i tially as described. 42. In combination infa circular knitting machine, a .plurality of feeds with a yarn feed finger at each feed movable to and from 50 feeding position, each feed including a cam to make the needles knit or not knit, a star Wheel for each feed, a cam for each star wheel, travelling contact means moving in unison With a needle carrier for operating 55 the star Wheel, a vertical shaft mounted in a fixed part of the machine one for each star Wheel and its cam to which said star Wheel is fixed and to which the cam is y. splined, said cam having two cam tracks, a '6W connection from one cam track for operatf ing the yarn feed finger and a connection from the other cam track for operating the needle controlling cam4 of that feed and means for moving the star Wheel vertically 65 l with its shaft'so that the contact means will operate upon the arms thereof in prescribed order to turn the star Wheel and its cam, substantially as described. y

In testimony whereof, We affix our signa- 70 tures.

KENNETH HOWIE. WILLIAM O. TAYLOR. 

